Index for loose leaf binders



Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INDEX FOR LOOSE LEAF BINDERS Application led December 5, 1929. Serial No. 411,928.

Y (GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARGH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention describedherein, if patent-- ed, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without payment of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an improved index for loose leaf binders and has for its object to provide an attachment that is simple and inexpensive, which is adapted for use on any of the well known loose leaf binders,

having binding straps and will provide a visual index on the rear edge of the binder that will enable the nature of the contents of .same to be ascertained without opening the covers or removing the binder from the shelf of a bookcase or other place of storage,

so long as the rear edge of the binder is exposed.- Y v Other objects of this invention are to provide a de viceV which is strong and durable,

of little Weight, may be quickly applied to or removedl from the binder, may be produced ata very low price and sold as a separate article of manufacture and be applied ,n to any of the types of loose leaf binders above mentioned.

A further object is to provide an indexing attachment for loose leaf binders that, should its use ,on a binder cease for any reason, may

be quickly removed and used in another, it

39 kbeing necessary only to erase the indices thereonor cover same `by a tag on which the new markings may appear.

Another object of this invention is to provide an indexing attachment that is adjustable to any thickness of loose leaf binder, and is also applicable to a binder at any time from that at which it'is of a minimum size, up to when the binder has reached its greatest capacity, the attachment adjusting itself, as

0 the leaves are added to the binder.

Another object is to provide Aan indexing attachment that may be applied to any form of loose leaf binder having one or more bindinv* straps, without requiring a change of any character in the construction of the binder,

said attachment being held firmly in place when tension is applied to the binding strap.

The attached drawing illustrates the indexing attachment as applied to one of the well known types of loose leaf binders, it being understood that slight changes in form and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention. y

Similar numerals indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder practically one-half full lof leaves, showing my improved attachment applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a sect-ion of the binder shown in Fig. l taken in line with the center of the indexing attachment.

Fig. 3 is a view of an indexing attachment.

Reference now being had to the drawing by numerals, et and 5 are the covers of a loose leaf binder, hinged to the clamping members 6 and 7 as seen at 8 and 9 respectively.

Binding straps or tapes l() usually an- To chored at one end in one of the cover members are provided with some form of adjusting and securing means (not shown) at their other ends in the other cover member. Straps 10 pass through clamping members 75 6 and 7 and notches ll formed inthe rear or binding edge of the leaves l2. Said binding straps being so arranged that kthey may beslackened off to permit the insertion or removal of the leaves, the straps are then .se drawn tight to clamp the leaves firmly between the clamping members 6 and 7, in a manner well known in the art.

The binder shown and described above does not form a part of this invention and is used simply for the purposes of illustrating the application of my indexing attachment to a loose leaf binder, the attachment being as readily applicable to a variety of binders.

The improved indexing attachment 14, is

vas

shown in Fig. 3 which may be made of any preferred tough, flexible material on which indicating marks may be applied direct, or to which a tag or the like may be pasted, on which the markings may appear.

The indexing attachment is preferably in the form shown and consists of a strip of leather, fabric or other suitable material of a Width to permit the application of markings at its center portion 15, the markings in this instance indicating a group of Army Regulations which the binder may contain.

Arranged on opposite sides of the solid portion 15 of the attachmentv are openings 16-16 adapted to be threaded over a binding strap 10, directly beneath the clamping members 6 and 7 asr shown in Figs. l and 2. Said openings or cut-away portions are the width of the strap and are of sui'licient length to occupy the positionl described when the binder contains only a few leaves or is full. Figs. l and 2 showing the binder about onehalf full.

To enable the adjustment of ythe attachment to the binding strap without threading it on from the end and thereby require the loosening of the strip at one of its ends, the attachment is divided along the lines 1.7-17 from the openings 16 to its ends, thus permitting the application of the attachment to the binder in a simple and expeditious manner by simply loosening the binding strap and slipping the divided ends ofthe attachment around the binding strap 10 between the clamping members 6 and 7 and the leaves 12, and then by grasping the ends of the attachment Within the covers, same may be drawn, with its portion 15 snugly up against the back of the leaves, when a tightening of the strap will firmly retain the attachment with its markings in a neat and legible manner. Y f

It will be understood that should the binder contain so many leaves that the attachment will not be of sufficient length to permit its occupying a position with its ends outside of the outer leaves, said ends may be arranged between any pair of leaves with its ropenings 16 threaded over the strap, in whichA position it Will be quickly adjusted and .firmly held as when lying outside of the leaves as'shown. It will, in said adjustment be preferable to locate the ends of the attachment between leaves approximately the same distance from the center of the binder which will center the markings on the attachment in the center of the back of the binder.

In other words, when the attachment has reached its maximum adjustment, it may remain in said position and additional leaves be `added to the binder outside of the ends of the attachment, or leaves may be added to one side and the attachment relocated to bring the marking into the center of the binder.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An article of manufacture for loose leaf binders having binding members, comprising an indexing attachment adapted to be mounted on one of said binding members and consisting of a strip of lexible material having a central unobstructed portion adapted to be exposed across the back of the binder and on whichindex markings may be applied, elonngated openings extending on opposite sides of said central portion and divided portions from the outer ends of said openings to the ends of the strip adapted to be threaded over a binding member with the binding member in said openings, said divided end portions being adapted to be adjust-ably and frictionally held in place within the binder.

2. An article of manufacture for loose l f binders having outer members and bindli members connecting said outer members 'an adapted tosecure loose leaves between said outer members, comprising an indexing aff tachment adapted to be mounted on one of said binding members, consisting of a strip of flexible material having a central unobstructed portion adapted to be exposed across the back of the bound sheets, on which index markings may be applied, elongated openings extending on opposite sides of said central portion and divided portions from the outer ends of said openings to the ends of the strip adapted to be threaded over a binding member with the binding member in said openings, said divided end portions being adjustably and frictionally held in place between the outer' members of the binder and the bound sheets.

3. An article of manufacture for loose leaf binders having outer members and bindin members connecting said outer members an adapted to secure loose leaves between said outer members, comprising an indexing attachment adapted 4to be mounted on one of said binding members, consisting of a strip of flexible material having a. central unobstructed portion adapted to be exposed across the back of the bound sheets, on which index markings may be applied, elongated openings extending on opposite sides of said central portion and divided portions from the outer ends of said openings to the ends of the strip adapted to be threaded over a binding member with the 'binding member in said openings, saidl divided end portions being adjustably and frictionally held in place between adjacent bound sheets.

4. An article of manufacture for use on loose leaf binders having binding members, comprising an indexing attachment adapted to be mounted on one of said binding members and consisting of a strip of flexible ma.-

terial having a central unobstructed portion adapted to be exposed across the back of the binder and on which index markings may be applied7 elongated openings extendngs on opposite sides of said central portion and divided portions from the outer ends of said openings to the ends of the strip adapted to permit the threading of said end portions over a binding' member with its ends adapted to be adjustably and fretionally gripped in place when the binding member is adjusted to retain the leaves in place.

CHARLES A. SCI-lH/IELFENIGv 

